Identity Theft - Ways to Protect your Money!

by Debbie Vasen | More from this Blogger

02 May 2008 07:49 AM

Here are the top ten ways to protect yourself from identity theft.

1. Never give our any personal information to an individual or business unless it is absolutely necessary and you completely trust them.

2. Carry the bare minimum of identification cards and credit cards you need in your wallet or purse. Leave anything you don't use regularly in a safe spot at home.

3. Destroy all receipts and paperwork you no longer need with a shredder. This is even important even for junk mail, especially those pre-approved offers.

4. Ensure your incoming and outgoing mail is absolutely safe at all times. Either rent a post office box or use a locked mailbox for incoming mail. Always bring outgoing mail directly to the post office and do not leave it in your mailbox with the little red flag up saying, "steal me!"

5. When traveling, use traveler's checks or credit cards -- only packing the bare minimum.

6. Keep all copies of your credit information in a safe file in a safe place. You want to be able to find customer services numbers quickly to report a lost or stolen card.

7. Sign up for the do not call list and remove yourself from all marketing lists. Request that your personal information not be shared with all companies you do business with.

8. Utilize the free annual credit report check. Request copies from all three agencies and check them for any errors.

9. Be anal with all your billing statements, checking every charge, no matter how small.

10. Do not download files or open emails from people you don't know. Never take free software from a website, unless you are certain it is a valid business. Don't store personal information on a laptop computer and always use anti-virus software programs.

Related Articles:

*Avoiding Identity Theft

*Victims of Identity Theft

*Identity Theft Prevention

Learn more about Debbie Vasen

Debbie Vasen is a published web content editor and writer, as well as a freelance writer for various print publications. In addition to blogging at Families.

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